Washer for electrical connections



March 1, 1932. E. L. wxEGAND 1,847,738

WASHER FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS original Filed March 24. 192431a/vento@ dtkoz wu, S

Patented Mar. 4l, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN If. WIEGAND, FPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA WASHER FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS )Originalapplication, led March 24, 1924, Serial No. 701,318. Dividecland thisapplication illed June 29,

' 1928. Serial No. 289,198.

This invention pertains to an improved washer for use in makingconnections between electrical wires or conductors and binding posts orsimilar elements, and its purpose is A to provide a device of thischaracter that is simple and very economical of production, the samebeing preferably punched and formed from sheet metal by means ofsuitable dies, and which greatly improves the me- 0 chanical strengthand character of connections of the above mentioned class, and insureseiicient and intimate electrical connection between the parts. A furtherobject is the provision of a dished washer for application to bindingposts or like elements for properly confining, protecting and supportingthe portions of wires or conductors that are connected thereto.

In the drawings accompanying and form- 0 ing part hereof. Fig. 1 is aperspective view of the washer; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of anelectrical heating element showing a connection between the binding postor terminal thereof and a wire or conductor and 5 involving the washer,and Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional details on the respective lines 3-3 and4 4 of Fig. 2.

The binding post or terminal may be of any suitable type. For thepurpose of the pres- D ent disclosure I have selected one described andclaimed in my copending application Serial No. 701,318, filed March 24,1924, and of which this case is a division; and, incidentallv. theelectricalheatingv element of which the binding post or terminal forms apart is of the embedded type and may be described brieflv as consistingof a base or receptacle 1 having a cavity 2 containing a hardened massor body 3 of refractory eleci trical insulating heat conducting materialwithin which is embedded the body portion of a binding post or terminalmember 4. The resistor of the heating element is desig- I nated 5 andits end is shown as engaged between opposed parts 6 of the post orterminal member 4. A threaded bore is formed in the upper end of thebinding post or terminal member, and a screw 7 operates within saidbore.

An electrical conductor or wire is shown at 8 and in making a connectionbetween it and the binding post or terminal member 4 I employ the dishedwasher of the present invention, the same being designated 10. Thewasner is applied to the screw 7 and is inter- 55 posed between theupper end of the binding post or terminal member and the looped end ofthe wire or conductor 8, the adjacent portion of the wire or conductorpassing out through a spout like extension 11 that is 50 formed in oneside of the washer.

The washer is preferably die stamped and formed from sheet metalof/suitable gauge and quality, and its side walls are flared outwardlyaway from its base so that when the washer is in use said side wallswill tend to force inwardly and confine the looped end of the wire orconductor 8 beneath the head of the screw 7 and, in fact, impose aproper shape thereto if, in the original instance, it lacked such shape.Furthermore, the washer protects the wire or conductor and prevents anyfraved strands thereofin case it is of the kind made up of strandsfromcoming in contact with adjacent metal parts of the device in connectionwith which it is used and which condition might cause a short circuit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. For use with aconnection of the class set forth involving a post-like member aboutwhich the end of a conductor is adapted to be engaged and incorporatingopposed abutments relatively adjustable axially of the member andbetween which said end of the conductor is disposed, a dished, sheetmetal washer for application to said member, said washer comprising anannular wall and a peripheral Wall, the latter wall diverging in adirection away from the annular wall and serving to confine the end ofthe conductor about the member, the peripheral wall being crimped atonepoint in its circumference to form a spout-like extension throughwhich the conductor enters the washer, the edges of said spout-likeextension being smooth and slightly rounded.

2. For use with a connection of the class set forth involving a screwabout which the looped end of a conductor is adapted to be engaged,`anda member into which the screw is threaded, said member having anabutment in opposed relation to the inner side of the head of the screw;a dished washer for application to the screw, said washer having asubstantially flat bottom wall and a converging circumferential wallwhich serves to force the looped end of the conductor toward and confineit about the screw and between the screwxhead and the bottom wall of thewasher when the screw is turned to advance its head toward theabutmentof said member, said'washer having a spout formation at one side throughwhich the conductor enters the washer;` the edges of said spout beingsmooth and slightly rounded.

' 3. For use with a connection of the character described including apost-like member about which the end of a conductor is adapted to beengaged and incorporating opposed abutments relatively adjustableaxially ofthe member and between which the end of a conductor is adaptedto be received comprising a dished metal washer having a continuousperipheral wall and an annular bottom Wall, said peripheral wallconverging toward said bottom wall and being crimped at one point in itscircumference to define a spoutlike extension the edges of which aresmooth and slightly rounded and adapted to receive and conne a conductortherein.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto alix my signature.

EDWIN L. WIEGAND.

